Understanding Diabetes and Its Types - Diabetes Care
What is diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that affects the way your body makes or uses insulin, a hormone that enables glucose(sugar) from your blood to enter your cells for energy. When sugar is unable to enter cells, it builds up in your bloodstream.
Over time, high blood sugar levels can cause serious health problems affecting your heart, kidneys, nerves, and other organs, so it has to be managed properly.
Types of diabetes
Prediabetes
This is a condition where your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. While many cases progress to type 2 diabetes, staying active and eating healthy can delay or even prevent type 2 diabetes.
Type 1
In type 1 diabetes, the body cannot produce any insulin. People with type 1 diabetes need to manage their disease by taking insulin.
Type 2
In type 2 diabetes, the body still makes insulin but is unable to use it properly. The management of type 2 diabetes includes a combination of weight management, eating healthy foods, and exercising. Most people with type 2 diabetes also need to take oral medications or insulin.1
